Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week

April 14, 2012

AMY REED'S COURAGE - Having your husband killed by a train is heart-wrenching. Then to have rumors circulate that it was intentional or a dare can make it even worse. So Amy did the courageous thing; she talked about her late husband Brian, and helped us all see him as more than just a victim. We saw him as a loving husband and father, who somehow made a bad choice which got him killed. It's never easy to talk about a loved one whose life is cut short. But Amy did. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her, their daughter Alicyn and the rest of the family and friends affected by this terrible tragedy.

EGG-CELLENT WEEKEND - Easter is one of those holidays where weather-wise, things can be great or terrible. This year we were somewhere in between. It did rain in the afternoon, but still, most children were able to participate in an egg hunt either at home or a community event. By the way, if you're still interested in an egg hunt, The Delta Chi will host its second annual Spring Egg Hunt on President Hefner's lawn, 194 Central Ave., Fredonia. Crafts will be made at 1 p.m. with the hunt set to begin at 2 p.m.

WATER RESPONSE - After a tractor trailer driver broke a hydrant in the city of Dunkirk Tuesday night, water at the Dunkirk treatment plant lowered seven feet in an hour. But officials, including the DPW Department and the police, responded quickly. "The energy and devotion of these guys. We're out there frozen, cold, miserable and dangerous. We dodged a bullet," said Department of Public Works Director Tony Gugino. We agree.

WORST

FORESTVILLE OFFICIALS - Trustee Linda Aures is the newest member of the Forestville Village Board. She also seems to be the only official right now that is listening to her constituents. On Thursday, the village board voted 4-1 to give themselves and other employees a pay raise. Aures was the lone dissenter. During the public portion, residents noted Forestville pays its working supervisor $15,000 more than Cassadaga does. Forestville pays its village clerk $1,100 more than Cassadaga's clerk. But apparently that does not matter. It does not matter that residents are saying they can't keep up with the taxes. It does not matter that residents note they are not getting raises, even though everything else is going up. It's time Forestville stops the spending and starts listening to the people the board represents.